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"Beware the barrenness of a busy life." - Socrates
When I was a child, Sundays were a day of rest, for everyone except my mother. She'd get up early to prepare Sunday dinner, because by the time we got home from church, there was very little time to pull everything together. Sunday dinners were feasts.
These days, I still honor the concept of the Sabbath. I may still spend some time writing, but it is usually writing for my soul. Or, in this case, blogging for my soul. In 2010, time off has a different meaning. The question is, should it? Between email, cell phones, surfing the Web, the news, blogs, Twitter, and Facebook, I feel entirely too connected.
There is a fantastic article by Anne Lamott in the April 2010 Sunset. She writes, "Multitasking can argue a wasted life." She urges readers to, "Fight tooth and nail to find time, to make it. It is our true wealth, this moment, this hour, this day."
One of the Ten Commandments is, remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. For me, checking my email is not holy. Blogging is. We get to decide what is holy. We also get to decide when and how we are going to care for ourselves. The most important part is that it restores us so we can face the rest of the week. I also think that time off makes me a better writer.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Polishing Our Craft
"To write something, you have to risk making a fool of yourself." - Anne Rice
This month our writer's group held an open read for the public. This is an opportunity for writers to bring in their work. It is submitted anonymously and critiqued by everyone. For new writers, it takes more courage than one can imagine. The work was of very high caliber, so we were treated to excellent writing.
The critique process is a vital part of being a writer. Without it, my work would look like an unpolished stone. The feedback can turn a rock into a sparkling gem. At first, I felt tumbled about, like a rock in a washing machine. Now it feels more like a vigorous massage. I am grateful it doesn't cause my stomach to churn - just my mind.
This month our writer's group held an open read for the public. This is an opportunity for writers to bring in their work. It is submitted anonymously and critiqued by everyone. For new writers, it takes more courage than one can imagine. The work was of very high caliber, so we were treated to excellent writing.
The critique process is a vital part of being a writer. Without it, my work would look like an unpolished stone. The feedback can turn a rock into a sparkling gem. At first, I felt tumbled about, like a rock in a washing machine. Now it feels more like a vigorous massage. I am grateful it doesn't cause my stomach to churn - just my mind.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Making Origami out of the Paperwork
"I love being a writer, what I can't stand is the paperwork." - Peter De Vries
Some days, writing feels like 90% paperwork and 10% creativity. Then there are days like today when it is all paperwork. My editor and friend at the Hepatitis C Support Project mentioned something about annually updating the patient pamphlets I’ve written. Innocently, I offered to make a log of these to remind me of the anniversary dates. What was I thinking!!! I’ve written about 100 of these. Just doing an Excel spreadsheet took me an hour.
I had a little talk with my protesting self. “There, there,” I said. “There are worse things you could be doing with your time. I’ll make you a hot cup of chai, put on some jazz, and after you are done, you can turn this all into a blog.” As it rained down on my beautiful Grass Valley view, I hummed away, content and honored to be a writer.
Some days, writing feels like 90% paperwork and 10% creativity. Then there are days like today when it is all paperwork. My editor and friend at the Hepatitis C Support Project mentioned something about annually updating the patient pamphlets I’ve written. Innocently, I offered to make a log of these to remind me of the anniversary dates. What was I thinking!!! I’ve written about 100 of these. Just doing an Excel spreadsheet took me an hour.
I had a little talk with my protesting self. “There, there,” I said. “There are worse things you could be doing with your time. I’ll make you a hot cup of chai, put on some jazz, and after you are done, you can turn this all into a blog.” As it rained down on my beautiful Grass Valley view, I hummed away, content and honored to be a writer.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Happy April Fool’s Day
"To write something, you have to risk making a fool of yourself." - Anne Rice
April Fool’s Day is the perfect day for writers, since we frequently make fools of ourselves every time we pick up the pen. In fact, April 1st is a perfect day to remind myself not to take myself too seriously—especially my writing. On my desk is the following quote by Bertrand Russell, “One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important.” On this day of laughter and pranks, let’s make fools of ourselves. It’s a delightful way to avoid a nervous breakdown.
April Fool’s Day is the perfect day for writers, since we frequently make fools of ourselves every time we pick up the pen. In fact, April 1st is a perfect day to remind myself not to take myself too seriously—especially my writing. On my desk is the following quote by Bertrand Russell, “One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important.” On this day of laughter and pranks, let’s make fools of ourselves. It’s a delightful way to avoid a nervous breakdown.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Being in the Flow
"Work will trump talent."- Dorothy Allison
Some days, writing flows out of me like water. I call it being in the flow. Nearly always, I get here because I sit down and write - not because I am inspired to write - but because I am committed to the vocation. Some days it is harder than others, but this week it is easy. In fact, everything is flowing so well, I am drowning in delicious words and possibilities.
What is especially exciting is that I am working on a new book. The one that is nearly written will wait. I know this sounds foolish, but I know in my bones that this book needs to be written first in order to smooth the way for the other book. Even more exciting is the fact that I know I can do this.
Some days, writing flows out of me like water. I call it being in the flow. Nearly always, I get here because I sit down and write - not because I am inspired to write - but because I am committed to the vocation. Some days it is harder than others, but this week it is easy. In fact, everything is flowing so well, I am drowning in delicious words and possibilities.
What is especially exciting is that I am working on a new book. The one that is nearly written will wait. I know this sounds foolish, but I know in my bones that this book needs to be written first in order to smooth the way for the other book. Even more exciting is the fact that I know I can do this.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Perseverance
"English novelist John Creasey received 763 rejection slips before publishing 564 books. Get over rejection. He did." - Bill O'Hanlon, Write is a Verb
My agent told me that two publishers were interested in my book. Although this is good news, they both wanted me to write a different book than the one that is nearly completed. Not exactly the same as starting from scratch, but not far from it. I agonized for a couple days, wondering what to do. Fortunately both publishers were wonderful. They encouraged me beyond my expectations. I felt mentored and lavished with possibility. In the end I decided where I was headed and who I wanted to work with. I am excited about getting back to work. Right now I am in Albuquerque, taking care of my mother. My mother's perseverance keeps me focused. If she can fight so hard to live, I can certainly write a book.
My agent told me that two publishers were interested in my book. Although this is good news, they both wanted me to write a different book than the one that is nearly completed. Not exactly the same as starting from scratch, but not far from it. I agonized for a couple days, wondering what to do. Fortunately both publishers were wonderful. They encouraged me beyond my expectations. I felt mentored and lavished with possibility. In the end I decided where I was headed and who I wanted to work with. I am excited about getting back to work. Right now I am in Albuquerque, taking care of my mother. My mother's perseverance keeps me focused. If she can fight so hard to live, I can certainly write a book.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Rules for the Dark Days of Writing
Someone gave me a collection of quotes printed on stickers. They are handy to have around as they make great cards when one wants to send a note to a friend. However, one of the stickers I can't bring myself to use. It's a Sylvia Plath quote, "There must be quite a few things a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them." Obviously, she found something...
I am in a writing funk. I'll spare you the confession, because I don't want to go all Julie Powell or Elizabeth Gilbert on you, although I admit I envy their success. However, this leads me to the first rule...
Rule #1: Stay true to yourself, even if it means the only thing you write that day is your grocery list. Moods will pass. Good writing will begin again.
Rule #2: Show up, even if it is in your pajamas. Put your derriere in the chair, and even if you have to stare at a blank page, honor your commitment to writing.
Rule #3: Don't compare yourself to other writers. Someone told me that she blogged plus wrote 2000 words daily, plus she has a job, and a family. I am pretty sure she goes to the gym because you can't have a figure like hers if you sit all day. It looked like she got her nails done too. After hearing that, I was ready to go the Sylvia Plath route (not the bath part), but that seemed really stupid, which leads me to the next rule.
Rule # 4: Killing yourself is a career-ender and incredibly ridiculous. Don't even think about it. Call your therapist or 911 if you do.
Rule #5: When you are in a funk, watch TV or read a junkie novel. It'll make you feel smug and bored. The next day, put your seat in the chair and start again.
Rule # 6: If the writing blues don't go away, call a writing friend, sign-up for a class or workshop, or start a blog.
Rule # 7: To break a bad spell, try writing a six-word memoir http://www.smithmag.net/sixwords/ It's a lovely way to have a finished product in your hand. You can hardly say you didn't accomplish anything if you've written a memoir.
Rule # 8: Never, ever, quit. Breaks are okay.
Rule # 9: Buy a new pen. A new pen is like putting our money where our intention is.
Rule # 10: Avoid reading Sylvia Plath, Virginia Woolf, or Ernest Hemingway. It sends the wrong message to our bones. Besides, they are such good writers that if you are inclined to compare yourself to them, you'll end right back where you started.
I am in a writing funk. I'll spare you the confession, because I don't want to go all Julie Powell or Elizabeth Gilbert on you, although I admit I envy their success. However, this leads me to the first rule...
Rule #1: Stay true to yourself, even if it means the only thing you write that day is your grocery list. Moods will pass. Good writing will begin again.
Rule #2: Show up, even if it is in your pajamas. Put your derriere in the chair, and even if you have to stare at a blank page, honor your commitment to writing.
Rule #3: Don't compare yourself to other writers. Someone told me that she blogged plus wrote 2000 words daily, plus she has a job, and a family. I am pretty sure she goes to the gym because you can't have a figure like hers if you sit all day. It looked like she got her nails done too. After hearing that, I was ready to go the Sylvia Plath route (not the bath part), but that seemed really stupid, which leads me to the next rule.
Rule # 4: Killing yourself is a career-ender and incredibly ridiculous. Don't even think about it. Call your therapist or 911 if you do.
Rule #5: When you are in a funk, watch TV or read a junkie novel. It'll make you feel smug and bored. The next day, put your seat in the chair and start again.
Rule # 6: If the writing blues don't go away, call a writing friend, sign-up for a class or workshop, or start a blog.
Rule # 7: To break a bad spell, try writing a six-word memoir http://www.smithmag.net/sixwords/ It's a lovely way to have a finished product in your hand. You can hardly say you didn't accomplish anything if you've written a memoir.
Rule # 8: Never, ever, quit. Breaks are okay.
Rule # 9: Buy a new pen. A new pen is like putting our money where our intention is.
Rule # 10: Avoid reading Sylvia Plath, Virginia Woolf, or Ernest Hemingway. It sends the wrong message to our bones. Besides, they are such good writers that if you are inclined to compare yourself to them, you'll end right back where you started.
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